The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-04-19
WRECKED WRECKERS.


sides, and that no one but the strikers
had any interest in, or could be bene.
fitted by the consumation of thaa pur
pose and intent, is likewise conceded.
Yet had there been any way of prov.
ing that it had been removed by any.
body but the strikers, these facts
would never have been admitted by
the counsel for the defense. Not only
was it taken up and moved,
but it was firmly spiked in
the new position so that
there was no possible failure of its ac-
complishing its purpose, and the in
tent to wreck the first train that
should pass and thus stop traffic. This
act was done east of town.. which
shows that it was train going east
that was to be thus wrecked. Ii was
done after the passenger train had
gone out, which shows that it was not
the intention to interfere with the
passenger train. 1t has been proven
that a freight train was to 60 east
about that time; that there was a
strike among the employees that it
was vital point with them to prevent
this train from going. All this is not
Only proven, but conceded by the de-
Tense. But We have to prove more
than this. We must prove the object
intended to be accomplished. For
the iuryman goes into the box with
his brains, he mDst reason, to arrive at
a just verdict. What was the object
What the vital interest involved in
the successful stopping of this train at
this particular point? Because, if
trains are permitted 10 run, the strike
is a failure, all other means of pre-
venting them we're about to fail, but
if the train is ditched here it must stop,
and is within easy reach of the strik.
ers to control it. Again, / appeal to
you gentlemen, to say if this is not the
right argument in this case. Does
any one take any other ground? Did
any one in this trial take any other
ground? Did the able attorneys in
the defense assume any other position /?
| think not Is not the evidence over
whelming that the rail was removed
in the interests of the strikers and to
obtain a specific object. But we may
60 step farther and show more clear
ly that the object was to stop the cars.
We do not charge that it was intended
to kill the employees. Habitat been
the intention they. could have been
shot, but you are bound to admit the
object was to obstruct the train be-
cause no train could pass this obstruc-
ton without being wrecked. Yet it
would not have INSTRUCTED anything
else; it would not obstruct a man on
foot, on horseback or in a wagon, or
but a train-yet we have no
evidence of this fact; how then do. we
arrive at it? By reasoning-you
must therefore use your reasoning pow
ers in finding a true verdict. In most
cases We find numerous theories to
the reasoning powers, but in
his Cne they are absent. There is no |
one interested in the stopping of trains |
but the strikers; there is no other
purpose of this obstruction but to
serve that interest, and these facts
nave not only been established but
ire met by the gentlemen on the side
IF the defense with the astounding
confession that they are all true.
There is then, but one more thing to
prove; one more step to take. These
gentlemen have come with us this far
md planted themselves, as it were, in
he last ditch. They say, we admit
hatwe alone had an interest i'm the
of the train; this removal
# this rail for the purpose of accom-
,lishing the wrecking. To us it had
become a necessity, We acknowledged
was done, but we didn't do it.
There gentlemen, is the only issue.
Did they do it? Did Mr.. Page as the
,uide, director and controller of this
trike, have hand in the accomplish
nent Of this, to him vital work?
Let us look at the evidence, at that
# the defense, if you will.
t is not my wish or
purpose to say anything needlessly
larsh of any one, but / do think as
nan TO man, that manly acquiescence
u the part of the defense would have
'een better for them. After refer
ing TO the counsel for the defense
nd their speeches, Mr.. Lamm said
hey have done all they could do for
heir clients { say this on behalf of
he local barr they have done all that
hey could do, in defending this case
nd tits only 10 be regretted they
hould feel called upon TO abuse the
prosecution. As for myself, | do not
hink it would look well for me to re-
n, ~ ho L., - Il l.